PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) and Western Carolina University will host a one-week summer residential program on the WCU campus.

The camp is designed as an early intervention tool to help in the development of a diverse and culturally competent health professions workforce. The camp program is open to students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Special emphasis is made to heighten awareness and encourage minority and economically disadvantaged students of educational and career opportunities in healthcare. The camp curriculum includes interactions with healthcare professionals and activities and classes that cover a variety of topics that include health and nutrition, diversity, health information management (HIM), physical therapy, peer influence, nursing, emergency medical services, white water rafting and a ropes course to assist in team building and learning group dynamics. Information is provided on the academic preparation required in middle and high school to enter a career in healthcare, as well as personal development and self-awareness activities. The camp creates an environment that fosters optimism about the value, rewards, and accessibility of careers in healthcare.

The students begin their camp experience with a tour of Mission Hospitals in Asheville and two interactive sessions at The Health Adventure. The week ends with a Friday night talent show and a family breakfast and certificate ceremony on Saturday morning. This is a unique experience for students to explore the exciting opportunities in health careers and experience the life of living on a college campus!

SELECTION CRITERIA
· Entering the seventh or eighth grade in the 2009-2010 school year
· Underrepresented minority and/or economically disadvantaged
· Potential interest in health careers
· An overall C+ or above grade point average
· Enthusiastic recommendation from principal, counselor, or teacher
· Permission of parent or guardian
· Payment of $10 application fee
· Completion of ALL application materials
· Commitment from parent or guardian to attend the orientation meeting on June 22 and the closing activities on June 28 at Western Carolina University
· Preference is given to students that attended the 2008 Health Careers Summer Camp

LOCATION
Campers will be housed in a residence hall on the WCU campus. Housing and food will be provided. The camp director and counselors will be with the campers at all times.

COST
The summer camp program is funded in part by a grant from the Department of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and administered through the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) Program. The cost to attend the camp is sixty-five dollars ($65) which includes a ten dollar ($10) application fee. This fee is refundable if you are not selected to attend the camp. Students on free or reduced lunch may be eligible for a reduced fee or scholarship but are still required to send the ten dollar ($10) application fee. Make check or money order payable to MAHEC. No cash please. Scholarship requests will be considered with approval from the Program Director.

APPLICATIONS
Application may be downloaded from: http://healthcamp.wcu.edu or requested by contacting the Division of Educational Outreach (828) 227-7397 or (800) 928-4968 or via email: healthcareers@mahec.net

Deadline to apply: March 27, 2009

Mail the application to:
MAHEC/WCU Health Careers Summer Camp
Division of Educational Outreach
138 Camp Building
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723

“PIPELINE” PROGRAM
Attending this camp is the first step in the beginning of a long-term relationship with the statewide Health Careers and Workforce Diversity (HCWD) program. Once the campers participate in any North Carolina HCWD sponsored program or activity, the students become part of the “pipeline” in the HCWD program infrastructure. The “pipeline” is a conceptual program that tracks the students and continues to involve them in ongoing health career education and enrichment programs. MAHEC is continually searching for opportunities to give students a head start in this competitive market, and the Health Careers Summer Camp is one means to this end.

Throughout the student’s academic years, MAHEC will continue to be in contact with the student and the parent and/or guardian, either by phone or by mail, to provide information, guidance and mentoring, as well as to meet the student tracking and evaluation requirements for all Health Career and Workforce Diversity programs.